Rep. Johnson’s UI Extension for Iron Ranger Miners unanimously passes Minnesota House

St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives unanimously passed House File 3023, legislation authored by Rep. Pete Johnson (DFL - Duluth) to extend Unemployment Insurance benefits to impacted Iron Range miners.

“There is broad bipartisan support to deliver this relief and peace of mind to our workers on the Iron Range, and you saw that with the vote on this bill. The same solidarity should be extended beyond just our miners,” said Rep. Johnson. “Whether it’s our hourly school workers, the federal employees grappling with layoffs, or the Minnesota families waiting for Paid Family & Medical Leave to be implemented, I hope to see the same sense of urgent bipartisanship and compassion shared with all of Minnesota’s workers.”

With approximately 630 Iron Range miners expected to be laid off by the end of May, this legislation would provide impacted employees with up to 26 additional weeks of Unemployment Insurance if their regular UI benefits are exhausted. Under the state’s current UI system, laid off workers can collect up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Having passed the House, the bill now awaits action by the Senate, though similar language is expected to be contained in the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development budget. Video of the floor debate can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel. 

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